Matthew 13 · Verse 47

Matthew 13:47

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

Matthew 13:47, King James Version

Matthew 13:47 in other translations

BSB	Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish.
WEB	“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some fish of every kind,
ASV	Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
YLT	‘Again, the reign of the heavens is like to a net that was cast into the sea, and did gather together of every kind,
DARBY	Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like a seine which has been cast into the sea, and which has gathered together of every kind,
BBE	Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net, which was put into the sea and took in every sort of fish:
Webster	Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

What does Matthew 13:47 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

47. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind--The word here rendered "net" signifies a large drag-net, which draws everything after it, suffering nothing to escape, as distinguished from a casting-net (Mr 1:16, 18). The far-reaching efficacy of the Gospel is thus denoted. This Gospel net "gathered of every kind," meaning every variety of character.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verses 47-50. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, etc. This parable does not differ in meaning from that of the tares. The gospel is compared to a net, dragging along on the bottom of the lake, and collecting all--good and bad. The gospel may be expected to do the same. But in the end of the world, when the net is drawn in, the bad will be separated from the good: the one will be lost, and the other saved. Our Saviour never fails to keep before our minds the great truth that there is to be a day of judgment, and that there will be a separation of the good and evil. He came to preach salvation; and it is a remarkable fact, also, that all the most striking accounts of hell, and of the sufferings of the damned, are from his lips. How does this agree with the representation of those who say that all will be saved?

(p) "of every kind" Mt 22:10

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 47 Is like unto a net - A drag-net. This is the proper meaning of Σαγηνη, which the Latins translate verriculum, a sweep net; Quod in aquam jacitur ad pisces comprehendendos; imprimis, cujus usus est extrahendis iis a fundo. Martinius. "Which is cast into the water to catch fish, and the particular use of which is to drag them up from the bottom." As this is dragged along it keeps gathering all in its way, both good and bad, small and great; and, when it is brought to the shore, those which are proper for use are preserved, and those which are not are either destroyed or thrown back into the water. By the net may be understood the preaching of the Gospel of the kingdom, which keeps drawing men into the profession of Christianity, and into the fellowship of the visible Church of Christ. By the sea may be represented that abyss of sin, error, ignorance, and wickedness in which men live, and out of which they are drawn, by the truth and Spirit of God, who cordially close in with the offers of salvation made to them in the preaching of the Gospel. By drawing to shore, may be represented the consummation of all things, see Mat 13:49, when a proper distinction shall be made between those who served God, and those who served him not; for many shall doubtless be found who shall bear the name without the nature of Christ. By picking out the good, and throwing away the bad, Mat 13:48, is meant that separation which God shall make between false and true professors, casting the former into hell, and bringing the latter to heaven. Instead of τα καλα the good, the Cod. Bezae, and five copies of the old Antehieronymian, or Itala version, read τα καλλιστα, the best, the very best. Every reader would naturally hope that this is not the true reading, or that it is not to be understood literally, as it seems to intimate that only the very best shall be at last saved. It is probable that this parable also refers, in its primary meaning, to the Jewish state, and that, when Christ should come to judge and destroy them by the Roman power, the genuine followers of Christ only should escape, and the rest be overwhelmed by the general destruction. See Mat 24:30, etc.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 13:44-52

Here are four parables. 1. That of the treasure hid in the field. Many slight the gospel, because they look only upon the surface of the field. But all who search the Scriptures, so as in them to find Christ and eternal life, Joh 5:39, will discover such treasure in this field as makes it unspeakably valuable; they make it their own upon any terms. Though nothing can be given as a price for this salvation, yet much…

Read the full comment on Matthew 13:44-52 →

Matthew 13:47 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΠάλινPalinAgainG3825

ὁμοίαhomoialikeG3664

ἐστὶνestinisG1510

ἡhētheG3588

βασιλείαbasileiakingdomG932

τῶνtōnof theG3588

οὐρανῶνouranōnheavensG3772

σαγήνῃsagēnēto a dragnetG4522

βληθείσῃblētheisēhaving been castG906

εἰςeisintoG1519

τὴνtēntheG3588

θάλασσανthalassanseaG2281

καὶkaiandG2532

ἐκekofG1537

παντὸςpantoseveryG3956

γένουςgenouskindG1085

συναγαγούσῃ,sunagagousēhaving gathered together,G4863

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 13:47

John 15:6
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
2 Timothy 3:2-5
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Matthew 22:9-10
Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
1 John 4:1-6
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. …
Mark 1:17
And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
1 Corinthians 10:1-12
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. …
2 Peter 2:13-22
And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. …
Titus 1:9-11
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
2 Corinthians 12:20-21
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
Matthew 13:26-30
But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. …
Matthew 25:1-4
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

a net.
4:19; Mr 1:17; Lu 5:10
and gathered.
26-30; 22:9,10; 25:1-4; Lu 14:21-23; Joh 15:2,6; Ac 5:1-10
Ac 8:18-22; 20:30; 1Co 5:1-6; 10:1-12; 11:19; 2Co 11:13-15,26
2Co 12:20,21; Ga 2:4; 2Ti 3:2-5; 4:3,4; Tit 1:9-11
2Pe 2:1-3,13-22; 1Jo 2:18,19; 4:1-6; Jude 1:4,5; Re 3:1,15-17

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Matthew 13:46
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Matthew 13:47
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Matthew 13:48
Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

Read all of Matthew 13

Matthew 13:47 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Asimismo el reino de los cielos es semejante á la red, que echada en la mar, coge de todas suertes de peces:
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Encore, le royaume des cieux est semblable à une seine jetée dans la mer et rassemblant des poissons de toute sorte;
German Elberfelder 1871	Wiederum ist das Reich der Himmel gleich einem Netze, das ins Meer geworfen wurde und von jeder Gattung zusammenbrachte,
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Iterum simile est regnum cælorum sagenæ missæ in mare, et ex omni genere piscium congreganti.